Monday, August 11, 2014

Laughing at Yourself





The most difficult part of writing, at least for me, isn’t the writing. It’s the promotion. Where do I go? What do I do? I was an extremely shy child who evolved into a fairly outgoing adult. I’ve tried to use the changes in myself and sometimes I probably come across as a bit eccentric. That’s okay, because I like that word.

When we’re out selling our books, we have to sell ourselves, too – not always the easiest thing to do. A reader will be much more likely to buy our books if they like us. That can be a little tricky, but it can be done, especially if we’re just ourselves. No putting on an act.

How do you sell yourself? For one thing, if you’re doing a book signing, don’t sit behind the table and wait for people to come to you. Stand up, smile even if it hurts, and look people right in the eye. Say, “Hi.” Easy to say, but many people will immediately turn away. They don’t always want someone to look them in the eye. If you’re shy, this makes it doubly difficult. It might make you feel like you’ve been rejected, but it’s all part of the process. Grin and bear it, and smile at the next person. Eventually it does become easier. Trust me on this one.

I’ve talked about doing presentations on another blog site. It’s time to talk about them again. If you’re not comfortable with public speaking, pretend you’re talking to your best friend. Public speaking was very difficult for me at first. Then it dawned on me that for the most part the people in the audience were just like me. They’d rather be anywhere except in my shoes. I found they can be very forgiving if you stumble over a word or make a mistake. If you need to, go ahead and correct yourself. Make a joke out of your mistake.

I remember one presentation in particular, at a library. I had a small carryall with wheels that I used to transport my books. I lifted it out of the car and a wheel fell off. The librarian brought me a library cart to use. I walked inside the room for the presentation, and half the audience was already there. I still needed to set things up, which included climbing up a few steps. I tripped and fell on the steps.

Dead silence.

I turned around to the audience and the lens fell out of my sunglasses, which I hadn’t taken off yet. I started to laugh at my own misfortune, and the audience laughed with me, instead of at me.

More people filed in and since we were all laughing, it set them at ease.

We finally got to the presentation. The librarian had set me up with a podium. Unfortunately, there was a trash can sitting next to it. Since the audience couldn’t see behind the podium, I lifted my leg and rested my foot on a lower shelf. I talk louder and more comfortably if I can move around. It was time to talk and walk at the same time. I lowered my foot and stepped into the trash can, dragging it across the stage with me.

A few other things happened, but we’ll let those go for now. It was a memorable presentation and I actually sold several books. To this day I don’t know if it was pity or the fact that I said my books were even funnier than me that caused sales.

Laugh at yourself and others will relax and laugh with you. And it will give them a good story to tell when they’re at home again.

Here’s another tip. If you’re doing a radio or Internet interview via phone, don’t do it in your pajamas or with bed hair. Put on something fresh and comb your hair. Stand up and stand straight while you talk, rather than sitting. It actually comes through in your voice.

Make the most of every situation. Just be you (unless you’re a cranky person who doesn’t want to promote).

Until next time, if you do something goofy this week, laugh at yourself and others will laugh with you. If they don’t, then it’s their problem.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website
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http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_8?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=marja+mcgraw&sprefix=marja+mc%2Cstripbooks%2C170


Don’t forget that What Are the Odds? – A Sandi Webster Mystery is available in both ebook and paperback formats, and just waiting for you.

22 comments:

  1. Marja, you made me laugh out loud this morning. Your library experience was hilarious and it sounds like exactly the type of thing that would happen to me. It's so good to be able to laugh at yourself...case in point, the job interview during which a bird used me as a personal restroom. If I didn't laugh, I'd be crying!

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    1. Okay, Amy, turnabout is fair play. You made me laugh, too! Thank you for sharing your bird story, and thank you for stopping in!

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  2. You made me laugh, Marja. A great way to start the day. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you, Marilyn. If I can make someone laugh, my day is made. Thank you for stopping in!

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  3. Heh heh, Marja - great post! I can just picture the foot-in-the-trash-can!

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    1. Thank you, Sheila. That was a day I'll never forget, trash can and all. Thank you for stopping in!

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  4. Marja,
    Okay, bottom line, I love all of the books in both of your series! It goes without saying that you always come up with an intriguing mystery but it's your unique characters and the humor they add to the stories that sets your books apart for me. It seems like whenever I'm going through a rough patch in life, if I read one of your books, I feel so much better. BTW, I just gave What Are The Odds? a five star review. Another great read!

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  5. Pat, You've made my day, my month, my life. It's comments like yours that make it all worthwhile. I'm really glad to hear the books pull you through a rough patch. Thank you so much for commenting, and for the five stars!

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  6. Oh, Marja. What you describes sounds like a comedy routine. I just started reading the first Bogey book.

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    1. It felt like it was a comedy routine, Marilyn. It was one of those days when you can't help but wonder what's going to happen next, but it had positive results, and that seemed to make it okay. Thank you for looking into the Bogey series, and thank you so much for stopping in!

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  7. I have a foot in the trash can story from when I worked for Sears eons ago. However, it didn't happen to me, thank goodness, so I'll spare you the details. You have a flair for comedy, which always makes me look forward to your next book.

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  8. Thank you, Pat. I never think of myself as funny until something like the trash can happens, or I say something unwittingly. I'm so glad you find the humor in the books. Thank you for stopping in!

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  9. Thank you for sharing your hilarious experience with us. Promotion is my big bugaboo, too. I hope I can laugh at my mistakes with such grace. And I hope I never step into a trash can during a presentation!

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    1. LOL It's hard to make mistakes with grace when you're standing in a trash can. Thank you, Joyce. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And thank you so much for stopping in!

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  10. Great to read this, Marja, and fun! I try to keep things light in my talks and readings -- and it usually works. It's something you can't plan, I feel. It just happens. You can't create trash can situations unless you're a comic, but when it happens, it takes a special person to go for the laugh, to be real and "human". And that you are!

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. Honestly? I've been kinda clumsy for as long as I can remember, but most of these things were just circumstances. I got used to laughing at myself. : ) It seems to work, both in my life and in the books. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  11. Sorry I missed the trash can incident but did make my evening. Waiting for signed copies of your new book to send out to your multi state fans. Still laughing cause we all have those moments in life. Always appreciate your honesty.

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    1. Thank you, Jake. I'm glad I can entertain a few people. Signed books coming up. Honestly can be the best part of life. Thank you for commenting!

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  12. Not only can you write funny, but you've got a great sense of humor which extends to laughing at yourself. I think it's a must for an author.

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    1. You know about writing with humor, Lesley, which is one of the reasons I enjoy your books. Thank you so much for stopping in!

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  13. Thank you for honestly sharing, Marja. Keep up the great work!

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    1. Thank you, Carole. Sometimes the true stories are the funniest. Thank you for commenting!

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